Dieter Seager is waiting to travel from Jordan to Iraq to act as a human shield.

Meanwhile, his nephew Steven Dixon will be helping to launch rockets against the Iraqi army should war break out.

Steven's late mother Shirleen was Dieter's brother. Relatives of both men insist there is no family split over their roles.

Dieter, 28, is waiting to deliver supplies to Iraq. He sold all his possessions to fund the trip and says he has no plans to return home.He said: "We're still trying to sort out visas to go into Iraq, but the political situation is changing and it is becoming more difficult to get across the border.

"Some people are leaving, but more are coming in - it has always been like that. But I'm going to stay. I have a simple message for Jack Straw, stop the war and I'll come home."

Steven, 22, is a lance bombardier with the Royal Artillery and joined the army when he was 16.

His dad Richard, 39, said: "I am very proud of my son and I am proud of Dieter for expressing his beliefs.

"Obviously I am worried, but Steven is following orders and worked hard to get where he is."

Dieter's mum Jean, from, Accrington, also denied there was any family split.

She said: "We've agreed to disagree. Dieter feels he has a duty to highlight the plight of the people of Iraq and he will do it, but Steven has a duty too.

"They may differ, but they respect each other and we respect them both.

"This does not make any difference. Dieter and Steven are very close and there is no issue between them. We are standing behind both of them."